Deepening big data sustainable value creation: insights using IPMA, NCA, and cIPMA

The impact of big data analytics capabilities (BDACs) on firms’ sustainable performance (SP) is exerted through a set of underlying mechanisms that operate as a “black box.” Previous research, from the perspective of IT-enabled capabilities, demonstrated that a serial mediation of supply chain management capabilities (SCMCs) and circular economy practices (CEPs) is required to improve SP from BDACs. However, further insight regarding the role of BDACs in the processes of SP creation can be provided by deploying complementary analytics techniques, namely importance-performance map analysis (IPMA), necessary condition analysis (NCA), and combined importance-performance map analysis (cIPMA). This paper applies these techniques to a sample of 210 Spanish companies with the potential for circularity and environmental impact. The results show that BDACs exert a positive total effect toward achieving SP. However, companies still have the potential to improve and benefit from these capabilities. In addition, BDACs are a necessary condition (must-have factor) for all dependent variables in the model, including SP. In this case, high levels of BDACs are required to achieve excellence in SP, justifying organizational initiatives that prioritize the improvement of BDACs to achieve SP goals.